How Much Does It Cost To Install Solar Panels?

Companies that provide solar equipment and system design, installation, and maintenance services are rising in number every year. A few of these were around during the lean years of the 1980s and ’90s, but many more have sprouted up in the last decade or so. In any case, this is now a highly competitive industry, so you can, and should, expect great service at competitive prices. The reputation and reliability of your local solar provider are important considerations, but perhaps more important is the stability of the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who produce the main parts of your system and who carry those long warranties. Many of these are large, wellestablished companies with expertise in energy and/or electronics, so it’s a good bet they’ll be around in 20 or 25 years to honor their product warranties. Always discuss warranties carefully with your solar provider. Professional installation may run you around 15% of the total system cost—quite a low rate for the home improvement industry—and that amount is subject to rebates and credits, which are based on installed system prices. Before giving you a quote for the system package, a solar provider will want to know about your home, what type of roofing you have, and what the southern exposure is like. To ballpark the size of system you’ll need, they’ll probably look at your utility bills from the past year and ask how much power you want to get from solar: Will it cover all household demand or just a portion of it? You may have to pay a fee to cover the provider’s legwork required for working

How Much Does It Cost To Install Solar Panels?

One of the biggest cost factors is the square footage which will need to be covered by solar panels. If you have a bigger roof space and want more solar panels, you can expect to pay more. The average home covers around 2,500 square feet and, on average, you can expect to pay around $36,000 towards the cost to install solar panels your roof of this size. This cost depends on a wide variety of factors, and the price can increase or decrease because of them. Here are some of the factors affecting the cost of solar panel installation:

• The total area of your home
• Solar rebates - if available
• Obtaining building/electrical permits
• Additional costs
• Obtaining rebates and credits
• Help with OEM warranty claims
• Lifetime technical support

Solar panel installation is not a DIY project if you're serious about using renewable energy and going green. Solar technology should be treated with respect by a knowledgeable professional who is able to apply for all necessary permits on your behalf. There's never been a better time to go solar, so compare at least 3 quotes for contractors in your area to get the best deal possible.

Building Codes and Permits

When you install solar panels, everything needs to be done to code, which increases the price for the installation. You will have to get permits for the installation too. Additionally, you will need to pay an electrician to bring the electrical wiring to code and you will need a carpenter to bring the roofing and installation to code. These contractors typically charge by the hour, so you will want to find someone that has a good reputation but does not charge you more than $85 per hour.

Additional Solar Installation Costs

An additional cost that may not have been considered is the time it takes to actually install the panels. Most contractors will charge by the hour. Each panel takes about 2 hours to install. Once you know how many panels you will need, you can determine the approximate cost for the installation portion. There are many factors that influence solar panel installation, and a contractor can help get it done correctly. Remember, solar technology should be respected in order to utilize it to it fullest potential. However, you will need to be prepared to pay for all of these components, and the initial cost to install solar panels may seem expensive at first for some homeowners. Although this is true, many rebates and other incentives which have come in effect over the last decade have made solar more accessible and affordable than ever before. When you install solar panels, you are assured of a return on investment like few other home improvement projects, and you are guaranteed to save money once the system has paid for itself. In most cases, once you install solar panels, the system will pay for itself in as little as 10 years or less.

Here are some of the factors that tend to affect the cost of a PV system, its effectiveness or efficiency, and the homeowner’s return on investment:

• The house and geographic location—how much sun reaches the house; the roof’s slope and roofing material
• Electric utility rates and net-metering rates
• Increased home value—PV systems and other energy-saving upgrades can increase a home’s resale value (often without raising the property value used for tax assessment)
• Loan rate, if the system is financed.

With so many factors to consider, getting to the bottom line can be complicated. Full-service solar companies will perform a cost/benefit analysis to help potential customers make a decision based on the financial picture. Of course, you should always check their numbers and scrutinize any variables used. You can also learn a lot by talking to other homeowners in your area who have had similar systems installed.